New to the ranks.
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: New York
New to the ranks.
Hey gang
I'm about to join the Bonneville ranks. Decided the time had come to sell my '94 Mark VIII, and tomorrow night I'm picking up my Silver Taupe Metallic '97 SSE. Car has ~142K on it, and I'm picking it up for $2400. Originally, I was looking at Tauruses, but I didn't want to play Russian Roulette with the transmission issues those cars have. So I began reading up on Bonnevilles, test-drove a few, and settled on this SSE.
No pics yet but believe me, that'* gonna change ASAP
Quick rundown of the car:
-Body is great overall, no rust, paint in great shape. Took a light whack up front at some point, so the fender and the hood on the driver side are a little out of whack but it'* not a big deal.
-Seems to have just about "all the toys," including the EyeCue heads-up display. Has the 12-way power leather buckets, Bose stereo (oddly, no CD player), and is in overall good shape. Leather is a little worn but consistent with the age/miles.
-Car runs/drives great. Has an oil leak, I'm assuming it'* just a rocker cover, and it needs the usual round of fluids changed but the powertrain on this car is tight. I like the trans, it does as you ask it to on-demand. Those of you who have driven early Mark VIII'*, Fords in general... they don't lol. Suspension is tight, and it rides real nice. The SSE is definitely firmer than the '97 SE I also drove- more to my liking.
- The interior panel on the driver door is loose, I have read here about GM using crappy clips. I suppose that fix is self-explanatory.
-"Air Bag" light stays on, will read up on this.
-Gas gauge is pegged at "F," I know the sender units like to die on these cars so this is on my "to-do" list.
Other than that, no problems, just really looking forward to getting the car.
I'm about to join the Bonneville ranks. Decided the time had come to sell my '94 Mark VIII, and tomorrow night I'm picking up my Silver Taupe Metallic '97 SSE. Car has ~142K on it, and I'm picking it up for $2400. Originally, I was looking at Tauruses, but I didn't want to play Russian Roulette with the transmission issues those cars have. So I began reading up on Bonnevilles, test-drove a few, and settled on this SSE.
No pics yet but believe me, that'* gonna change ASAP
Quick rundown of the car:
-Body is great overall, no rust, paint in great shape. Took a light whack up front at some point, so the fender and the hood on the driver side are a little out of whack but it'* not a big deal.
-Seems to have just about "all the toys," including the EyeCue heads-up display. Has the 12-way power leather buckets, Bose stereo (oddly, no CD player), and is in overall good shape. Leather is a little worn but consistent with the age/miles.
-Car runs/drives great. Has an oil leak, I'm assuming it'* just a rocker cover, and it needs the usual round of fluids changed but the powertrain on this car is tight. I like the trans, it does as you ask it to on-demand. Those of you who have driven early Mark VIII'*, Fords in general... they don't lol. Suspension is tight, and it rides real nice. The SSE is definitely firmer than the '97 SE I also drove- more to my liking.
- The interior panel on the driver door is loose, I have read here about GM using crappy clips. I suppose that fix is self-explanatory.
-"Air Bag" light stays on, will read up on this.
-Gas gauge is pegged at "F," I know the sender units like to die on these cars so this is on my "to-do" list.
Other than that, no problems, just really looking forward to getting the car.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 0
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From: Purgatory
Welcome! 
Not to scare ya, but take some time to read this -
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38
Not to scare ya, but take some time to read this -
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: New York
Thanks all for the welcome/advice... I do know about the upper intake issues on the 3.8'* and it will be the first thing addressed after all the basic maintenance is covered. Sweet link, though, I'm bookmarking that bad boy.
I'm in southern New York, Orange County to be exact, about an hour north of NYC. Since I now have FWD and traction control... bring on the snow lol. (Will I even need snow tires?)
One of you (petraman) mentioned the price. The lady I'm buying the car from is the original owner, and her husband passed on, so she is looking to cut some costs (read: insurance). He had a heck of a nice collection, including a sweet sea green '55 T-Bird with the Continental spare kit. She has had it for sale since last Fall- originally she wanted more for it, I won't disclose how much, but I know I'm getting a good deal on a nice SSE. I think the fact that it'* over 140K scares people off, but those of us who know better know it'* just about broken in
Tomorrow I get the car, putting it on the road Tuesday. Will make sure to update!
I'm in southern New York, Orange County to be exact, about an hour north of NYC. Since I now have FWD and traction control... bring on the snow lol. (Will I even need snow tires?)
One of you (petraman) mentioned the price. The lady I'm buying the car from is the original owner, and her husband passed on, so she is looking to cut some costs (read: insurance). He had a heck of a nice collection, including a sweet sea green '55 T-Bird with the Continental spare kit. She has had it for sale since last Fall- originally she wanted more for it, I won't disclose how much, but I know I'm getting a good deal on a nice SSE. I think the fact that it'* over 140K scares people off, but those of us who know better know it'* just about broken in
Tomorrow I get the car, putting it on the road Tuesday. Will make sure to update!
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,105
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welcome to the family, sounds like you got a great deal 
Pfff, I don't think so. I don't even have TC on my SE and I've never run a dedicated snow tire and my morning comutes used to involve unplowed roads with 6 to 8 inches of snow still on them.
Originally Posted by Steve-O
(Will I even need snow tires?)
